2023 Photo Safari - Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center

Alligator Alley Sighting

The weather for February 8 at the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center was benign, with warm temps and little wind. Ample sunshine allowed the photographers on safari to take plenty of landscape and wildlife photos. Waterfowl was abundant, but they remained a good distance away from the causeways. Northern harrier was a constant sighting, while a bald eagle or two was flying high behind the scenes. Managed water levels are being drawn down, but lots of rain and slowed that progress, so not a lot of shorebirds were present yet at some of the usual stops like the Summer Duck pond.

Jim Lee gives an educational welcome talk

Guide Jim Lee was recognized by SCDNR in 2021 as their Employee of the the year and has 40 years of experience on the property. He listens to the photographers about what they would like to photograph, and then drives the van to locations like Alligator Alley, the beach, or architectural ruins. He can recall historical tales from the time of Tom Yawkey, or discuss what the Yawkey Foundation has in store for the future of the property. News Flash - they aren't changing a thing! Which means that the next time a member of the public goes on a Yawkey Tour, they will have access to a well-preserved, natural place in the Lowcountry.

Professor Sargent Camelias at 'Blackout'

To view past blog entries from Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center click on 2018 Walk Through History - 2016 Birding Tour - 2015 Shorebirds with Manomet - 2015 Yawkey Legacy Story 

To view Field Trips from 2023 click on Botany Bay WMA - Pinckney Island NWR - ACE Basin NWR Combahee Unit